Number of Potential Senators in the House Dwindles

Capito is among the House members running for Senate. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Rep. Jack Kingston’s Tuesday defeat in a Senate primary runoff means no more than nine House members could join the ranks of the Senate in the 114th Congress — and that number could shrink again next month.

With 13 members giving up their seats to run for Senate, Kingston became the third House member from Georgia and the fourth nationwide to unsuccessfully seek a Senate nomination. Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, who failed in his primary challenge to Sen. John Cornyn, and Georgia Reps. Phil Gingrey and Paul Broun, who failed to advance in the May primary, were the others.

Two others elected to the House in 2012 have already secured spots in the Senate. Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., vacated his House seat and won a special election last year, and he’s expected to be elected to a full term in November. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., was appointed to his seat last year and is heavily favored to win a special in November.

Last cycle, half of the 12 House members vying for the Senate were successful. Just one, Rep. Bob Turner, R-N.Y., lost in a primary.

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